Nick Hern Books: 842 books

Why does Shakespeare write in the way he does? And how can actors and directors get the most out of his incomparable plays? In Speaking the Speech, Giles Block - 'Master of the Words' at Shakespeare's Globe - sets out to answer these two simple questions. The result is the most authoritative,...

A short play about death by Caryl Churchill. A funeral party for a man with an adventurous past and a ginger cat that needs a home. Where is he now? Is his heart lighter than a feather? How did he die? And what happens to his friends? Here We Go premiered at the National Theatre, London, in November 2015.

An insider's guide to achieving that dream career - by one of the brightest stars in musical theatre. Being in a West End or Broadway musical is the dream of thousands of talented performers. But competition is intense and reaching the spotlight can often require a leap into the dark. So You...

A darkly comic play that explores the unexpected, bewildering, and life-changing consequences of challenging the status quo at a global level. Last week, Andrew was that guy with his girl lunching in KFC, discussing apartments and making plans for the future. Today he's in Moscow, in an undisclosed...

A touching and provocative story of first love though the eyes of a gender-curious teen, Scorch was inspired by recent UK cases of 'gender fraud'. For those who feel they're not living the right life, online is a place to be yourself. 'More real than real life. I'm honest on there. I'm...

Shakespeare's heartbreaking tale of forbidden love, brought to life in a new production co-directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh. It was performed as part of the Plays at the Garrick Season in 2016, starring Derek Jacobi as Mercutio, Meera Syal as the Nurse, and Lily James and Richard...

Charles Dickens’ timeless classic, brought to life in a joyous new adaptation by Jack Thorne. On a bitter Christmas Eve night a cold-hearted miser is visited by four ghosts. Transported to worlds past, present and future, Ebenezer Scrooge witnesses what a lifetime of fear and selfishness...

Family, food, music and mourning. Gloria is gravely sick. When her time comes, the celebration begins; the traditional Jamaican Nine Night wake. But for Gloria’s children and grandchildren, marking her death with a party that lasts over a week is a test. Nine nights of music, food, sharing...

Annie's not really a fan of herself. How did she get a life like this? While her perfect sister poses in hipster hats, she has to take care of her sick mother. And she keeps mistaking hot men for her Dad. There must be more than this. The celebrities that fill her social media feeds are only...

Elayne doesn't want company but company won't leave her alone. Everyone's got an opinion but no one's listening and things are starting to slip. nut premiered at The Shed at the National Theatre in October 2013, directed by the author.

A dark comedy about female friendship, fertility and freaking out, by Florence Keith-Roach, ‘rising star of the London theatre scene’ (Evening Standard). Two women, living very different lives, are united by their quick wit, love of nineties’ dance music and a mounting alienation. Eggs...

Euripides' classic about the woman who murders her own children in revenge for her husband's infidelity, here given a distinctive Scots flavour by the poet and playwright Liz Lochhead. Winner of the Saltire Society's award for SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2001 'This outstanding work should...

A two-play dramatisation of Philip Pullman's extraordinary award-winning fantasy trilogy, first seen at the National Theatre. His Dark Materials takes us on a thrilling journey through worlds familiar and unknown. For Lyra and Will, its two central characters, it's a coming of age and a transforming...

'It's not always all about you.' Three couples. What might be. What once was. What could have been. debbie tucker green’s play premiered in February 2017 at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, in a production directed by the playwright.